In episode 8 of Survivor 50, a new Double Duos twist paired castaways for an immunity challenge and tied their fates at Tribal Council, resulting in the elimination of Chrissy Hofbeck and Benjamin 'Coach' Wade. Rick Devens' fake idol play shifted votes away from his duo with Aubry Bracco. The pair became the second and third jury members after losing immunity to Tiffany Ervin and Joe Mena.
Jeff Probst surprised the 13 remaining castaways by announcing that challenge partners would vote as individuals but target entire duos for elimination, sending two players home together. Pairings included Coach with Chrissy Hofbeck, Devens with Aubry, Joe Mena with Tiffany Ervin—who won immunity and a reward feast—Rizo with Emily, Ozzy Lusth with Stephenie LaGrossa, and Jonathan Young with Christian Hubicki. Cirie Fields drew the odd one out, heading to Exile Island but returning after finding a marked coconut among 2,000, in time to strategize and vote. Cirie convinced Ozzy to target Coach and Chrissy over Devens and Aubry, while Emily pushed to break up Coach's alliance with Jonathan, Stephenie, and Joe. Chrissy aimed to oust Rizo, aware of his Season 49 idol play from prior leaks possibly involving Dee Valladares or Savannah Chrisley. At Tribal Council, Devens retrieved a fake idol he had planted earlier, creating chaos and swaying votes. Coach drew a losing Shot in the Dark, and he and Chrissy were voted out 10-1-1, joining Dee on the jury. In exit interviews with TVLine, Chrissy praised the twist as 'awesome' despite her exit after 16 days, crediting it for unpredictability and highlighting her unseen fire-making skills and strategic drop from an early immunity challenge to play the 'elderly lady act.' She expressed surprise at allies like Stephenie and Joe flipping under Cirie's influence. Coach called Devens' ploy the 'tipping point,' lamented not campaigning more, and recited a haiku about his torch snuffing: 'My torch has gone out, first thoughts, despondence and fear / But all remains true.' Both lauded the season's twists and connections, with Coach noting his bond with Chrissy as brother-sister-like.
